ACAD graduate gains momentum with her textile designs

Recently, Samantha Reed, the creator of some of Worth's most awe inspiring pieces, sat down to chat with the savviest of the fashion savvy, Lincoln Phillip.

Here's the interview, which was originally published in the Calgary Herald.

BY LINCOLN PHILLIP, CALGARY HERALD

On a recent shopping trip at Worth, I encountered a heavenly creation among its stylish peers. The dress is a light off-white airy knit in a tank style with ruffle detailing.

Seeing that I can't wear this beauty, the least I could do is write about it -- I discovered that the designer is a young Calgarian named Samantha Reed, a recent ACAD graduate in Fibre.

"The first time I tried felt-making it was horrible and I hated it," Reed confesses, adding that after a workshop with Anna Torma, a contemporary embroidery artist, ideas and creativity began to mesh.

"Torma taught us a technique of layering the felt and then adding random bits of leftover materials, which (creates) various amazing textures," she says.

Reed began creating scarves, then advanced to jackets and to knitting.

"The dress in Worth is from one of my experiments with wool and silk yarns. Depending on what kind of tension I use on the knitting machine and how I wash the fabric, I can get nice lacy textures."

Reed's final school project and debut collection, aptly named Ethereal Beauty, is a capsule of eight delicate garments created out of her felting and knitting genius. It won first place at ACAD's Art aWEARness graduate show in February, and helped her earn a place at Glasgow School of Art this September.

Reed will be one of 10 weaving whiz-kids in the Masters of Design in Textiles as Fashion program.

"I'm pretty excited --they teach you how to produce your own textiles and fashion line," she says, adding she wants to have her own line while also freelancing for other design houses creating textiles.

She Would Describe Her Style As:

Elegant and romantic.

Style Sparks

Reed credits learning how to sew at seven years old, her mother's steady knitting, and her aunt's textile creations with naturally piquing her passion for clothing and textiles.

Style Influences:

When creating textiles and garments, Japanese designer Issey Miyake inspires Reed, as well as Sans Soucie by Vancouver designer Katherine Soucie.

"I relate to her because she creates her own textiles and garments. She originally trained in fashion and turned to creating textiles out of frustration because she couldn't find the right fabrics for her designs."

Style Icons:

Coco Chanel and the costumes from Jane Austen novels. "I know that they represent very different periods in fashion history, but I love them both."

Reed fell in love with the romance of Austen fashions when she saw an exhibit of her costumes at the Fashion Museum in Bath, England.

Best Buy:

On a past trip to Vancouver, Reed found a black pleated handbag by Matt and Nat on sale for $150. "It was such a great price, but for me it was also a splurge," she confesses.

Most Desired Fashion Item:

When Reed becomes a successful designer, she plans to own a Versace gown and wear it to fabulous parties.

Guiltiest Shopping Pleasure:

"Shoes and handbags . . . if you can't find anything to wear in your wardrobe, a new pair of shoes will always work."

Signature Accessory:

Headbands (sometimes covered in her own textiles) and a handbag.

Signature Fragrance:

Envy Me by Gucci.

Favourite Places To Shop:

Winners, plus Zara and street markets when travelling in Europe.

Make It Go Away:

Reed is tired of seeing UGG boots worn with skirts or shorts. "I can see why people buy them, because they are warm for the winter--but they are not meant to be worn on the streets during summer."

Bring It Back:

Reed would love to see people putting more effort into their appearance by dressing up when leaving the house, which was the norm of yesteryear.

Style Cop Citation:

Blame it on the heat for impairing some people's fashion sense, but Reed still sees the infamous fashion faux pas of socks and sandals.

Best Fashion Statement:

Reed loves dressing up in a pair of sexy heels and a silk dress.

Dominant Labels In Her Wardrobe:

"I buy my clothing based on style and pattern, rather than the brand," she says, noting that she does have more than a few items by Guess and Banana Republic.

This Season's Look:

While studying in Scotland, Reed plans on investing in a good raincoat, patterned umbrellas and boots.

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